It’s easy to say “check on your strong friends” (or all friends, really) — but it can be easier said than done. What do we say? And will our strong friends tell us the truth of their burdens anyway? In my experience (and having often been that ‘strong friend’) the answer is still often “no”... ⁣ ⁣ Whether it’s because you don’t want to burden others, or you feel no one will understand or relate... or you’ve had to be unfortunately strong for so long, that you don’t trust opportunities to speak your truth or relax into the reality of your pain... ⁣ ⁣ Please know: You deserve peace. You deserve safety. You deserve rest. You are worthy of love, and you are NOT alone. Even in the darkest moments of despair.... it is often the kindness of strangers, that gets us through them; a discreet tissue from a fellow restaurant-goer to wipe a tear, or the voice on the other side of a crisis hotline. It’s hard to say “I’m not OK” but if you ever find yourself saying it, that courage is something to be proud of. ⁣♥️ And I pray that when someone finds that courage — that we, the people in their home, work and personal lives, actually support the things we claim to support. ⁣When people tell you “Look on the bright side” or “Well so & so is going through even worse...” it does not help. Toxic positivity is a thing — and it shames people into just shutting up & getting on with it... out of fear of seeming ungrateful or weak. ⁣ ⁣ It’s one thing for people, social media, and corporations to say “mental health matters”. It’s another thing entirely to create systems & structures that support that truth. I hope that one day we get to a point where “calling out sick” for truly feeling mentally unwell is as stigma-less as calling out sick for physical ailments. And that folks who find the courage to give voice to their pains are met with support, and not side eyes. 🙏🏾 ⁣ ⁣ I’ve included some slides that help me “check in” with my loved ones. I hope they help you, as they’ve helped me in moments when I hope (but am unsure of how) to show up for them. ♥️ Thank you @dr.christina_ for allowing me to share them. ⁣ Sending YOU reading this right now so much love and light ! ✨